My Brother, The Robot

Dutton Children’s Books, 2001
Middle-grade novel, 144 pages

Chip didn’t think anything could be worse than almost failing the fifth grade–until his new brother, Simon, arrived. Simon is the latest in robotic technology.

He looks just like a human boy, but he is ten times better — better at being polite, cleaning his room, spouting the multiplication tables, and swimming, Chip’s favorite sport. Dad hopes Simon will set a good example for Chip. Instead, Chip feels as though Simon is taking his place — at summer school, on the swim team, even in his parents’ hearts. Chip hatches a plan to take care of “the Perfect Son” once and for all. Will it work perfectly, or be a perfect mess?

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In her first novel, Becker offers a story to match any of the numerous nightmarish plots involving robots. In the summer between fifth and sixth grade, Chip, a classic underachiever, discovers that his parents have ordered a SIMON robot, advertised as being the perfect son. "The truth is, your mother and I hope that he will be a good example for you," Chip's father tells him. Consequently, Chip has to put up with Simon always cleaning his room, constantly being polite, and winning swim meets. Chip's reaction is realistic and understandable: he wants to murder his new brother or at least turn him off. Becker paints an accurate portrait of Chip, the type of dreamy kid that we all know, and her view of the future world, where things frequently don't work right, is very funny. A fast-paced, humorous story that ends with a heroic Chip and a humbled Simon.

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